Nashville to New Orleans Road Tripusa

About The Hotel

Journey through the Deep South from Nashville down to New Orleans via Memphis and enjoy one the best musical and culinary assault on your senses that you may have ever experienced. Along the way, you will meet passionate Southerners who will welcome you in the most hospitable way, enjoy some stunning architecture and listen to all kinds of music from Country, to Creole. Read more on Emma’s blog to inspire you.

This itinerary takes 14 days, but we have some alternative suggestions for those wishing to do longer or shorter adventures. Our Tots Too little black book of “must-see” places cover the best food spots, family activities, bars and clubs and insider tips to avoiding the crowds.

Day 1 | Arrive in Nashville | Hotel: Bobby Hotel

• Upon arrival you will collect your car and head straight to your hotel where your welcome pack for Nashville will await you. Relax and soak in the smells, sights and sounds of the world-famous Music City.

Day 2 | Nashville | Hotel: Bobby Hotel

• Head to the Country & Western Music Hall of Fame in the morning and the Johnny Cash Museum
• Lunch will be at a renowned spot slightly outside the city
• Spend the evening exploring the music scene, or soaking in the city from a prime roof top spot

Day 3 | Nashville | Hotel: Bobby Hotel

• Take a visit to the Grand Ole Opry and spend the morning and enjoy the water activities at the resort including the new Soundwaves area.
• Lunch will be at a traditional style Southern canteen where you can enjoy some real local food among Nashville’s original residents.
• Enjoy an open-mic evening at one of Nashville’s most famous music spots (date dependent) where you can learn about the stories behind the songs from the writers themselves. Dinner and drinks served. An alternative venue will be booked if availability cannot be offered.

Day 4 | Nashville to Memphis | Hotel: The Peabody

• Before leaving Nashville, spend the morning shopping in some lovely boutiques in Hillsbroro Village, ending up in Franklin for lunch at one of our favourite spots. Arm yourself with some fudge (and watch it being made) just down the road from the restaurant before heading off towards Memphis
• Stop at your halfway point in Jackson, Tennessee and stretch your legs in Cyrpus Grove Nature Park
• Ensure you arrive in Memphis for early evening in time to see Beale Street come alive! Dinner will be at one of Justin Timberlake’s favourite haunts where you will experience some of the best meltingly tender ribs you’ve ever eaten along with some live music.

Day 5 | Memphis| Hotel: The Peabody 

• After breakfast at the hotel, hang around for the duck parade (just to tick it off the list!)
• Head to the Civil Rights Museum where you will learn about the famous movement and see where Dr.Martin Luther King was shot. Allow 2 hours minimum.
• Walk off lunch with a 1 mile trip across the bridge from Tennessee to Arkansas.
• The evening will be spent in a suburb just outside of the city at one of our favourite restaurants run by a local James Beard award-winning chef.

Day 6 | Memphis| Hotel: The Peabody

• Today is all about music. The morning will be spent at Sun Studio’s to visit the first place Elvis ever recorded and learn about how and who discovered the King of Rock n Roll.
• Lunch will be more ribs at one of Memphis’s most famous joints where you can take home a tub of their famous dry rub.
• The afternoon is all about Graceland. You will need to allow 2-3 hours to enjoy the tour of the house, car museum and aeroplanes.
• The evening is casual style at a famous fried chicken place (prepare for some spice!)

Day 8 | Memphis to Natchez | Hotel: Garden Song B&B

• Taking the Blues Highway, today you will say goodbye to Memphis and head towards Natchez, breaking up the 5-hour journey in Jackson where you will refuel at one of the most interesting diners in the South.
• You’ll be driving through the real heart of the Deep South where the roads are quiet but littered with quirky landmarks so if you are in no rush, there will be some little spots along the Natchez Trace to stop at.
• Arrive early evening in Natchez and head down to the banks of the Mississippi to catch the magical sunset before eating at one of our favourite restaurants. A number of watering holes are available to those seeking a nightcap!

Day 9 | Natchez| Hotel: Garden Song B&B

• After breakfast, head to Longwood, the largest Octoganal house in the USA and soak in the magnificent oak trees that surround it.
• Enjoy a traditional Southern biscuit-making class with the queen of biscuits herself at Regina’s kitchen.
• Lunch will be accompanied by a Margharita (if you dare) at a quirky little spot.
• Tonight will be spent cooking and eating some traditional Southern comfort food.

Day 10 | Natchez to Vacherie County| Hotel: Oak Alley Plantation

• After breakfast at the hotel, take a leisurely drive down the Vacherie County along the river Danube. Stop in Baton Rouge for a spot of lunch at the new White star Market (we will give you our recommendation for the best food stall!)
• Arrive at Oak Alley Plantation around 3pm (arrival must be before 4 to ensure a tour of the plantation house) and settle into your cottage. The grounds are truly magnificent so take a stroll around and enjoy the history of the land.
• The evening will be spent doing a Cajun-style cookery class with the king of Jambalaya and Gumbo himself at the local restaurant 10 minutes drive from the Plantation. Takes around 3 hours in total to cook and eat.

Day 11 | Vacherie County to New Orleans | Hotel: Royal Sonesta 

• Today you will have the option to visit the Tabasco Factory on Avery Island. Alternatively,  enjoy a swamp tour to see the resident alligators in their natural habitat.
• Arrive in New Orleans late afternoon and head to dinner in the French Quarter where we will have a reservation for you at one of the must-visit places in the city.
• The evening can be spent exploring Bourbon Street, or we will give you a list of our favourite bars along Frenchman Street

Day 12| New Orleans | Hotel: Royal Sonesta

• Take a stroll to the French market for Beignets
• visit the WW11 Museum,  visit St Louis Cemetary
• Eat at a famous Soul food cafe ride the trams around the city
• Enjoy a jazz concert at Preservation Hall

Day 13 | New Orleans | Hotel: Royal Sonesta

• Head to our recommended breakfast spot, then spend the day visiting some of New Orleans quaint little boutiques to fill any remaining space in the suitcase before heading home.
• Spend the day at leisure
• Evening reservations will allow you to enjoy your final night in style eating the best Creole cuisine the city has to offer in a spectacular surroundings.

Day 14 | New Orleans – Home  

• today you will say goodbye to the Deep South and return back home.

Family Facts